“The job numbers are positive. We’ve had more jobs created now than were lost during the recession. We’re seeing that the creation, we’re seeing those numbers not only grow but shift toward the private sector and shift toward full-time employment and these are all signs that the recovery is taking some hold but we’re not out of woods.”
– Stephen Harper
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The unemployment and employment rates have only marginally improved since Mr. Harper took office in February 2006 and participation rates (which include those people actively looking for work) have fallen.
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In both 2013 and 2014 the employment growth rate was only 0.7% and in 2014 the employment rate decreased. In 2015 the economy has slowed and many fear we are in the midst of a recession.
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When Mr. Harper became Prime Minister in February 2006, Canada’s youth unemployment rate was at 11.8 per cent. In May 2015 youth unemployment was at 15.0%.
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The Temporary Foreign Worker program has expanded threefold since 2002. Low-skilled jobs are going to under-paid foreign workers rather than unemployed Canadians. In 2013, Mr. Harper’s government allowed in 240,000 temporary foreign workers.
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Mr. Harper’s economic policies have widened the inequality gap. Since 2005 Canada’s wealthiest 10 percent have seen their net worth increase by 42% while the poorest Canadians have had their net worth decrease by 150%. The wealthiest 10 percent now own almost 50% of the wealth in Canada.
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Since Mr. Harper came to power in 2006, there are 236,200 more unemployed Canadians.
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The average Canadian is not earning enough to pay off their household debts: in 2005 for every $1 in disposable income Canadians made, they owed $1.30, in 2013 it rose to $1.64
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Despite Mr. Harper’s focus on the energy sector, Alberta has the highest rate of working poor; double the national average.
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Low paying jobs are increasing, but high paying jobs are decreasing. Since Mr. Harper came to power, 37.8% of the jobs created (4 out of 10) are low paying with few benefits.
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